"Never better, thank you. I think hunger and adventure must be healthful. I slept like the Seven Sleepers rolled into one; I feel as fresh as the morning, and as hungry as—well, you will see," she ended with a laugh.
"Then fall to," he said, joining in the laughter. "The sooner the breakfast is over the sooner we shall start."
"I warn you I am in no hurry," she retorted gaily. "I quite like this. It is the real thing; whilst my uncle's camps are just civilization imposing itself on the wilderness."
"But your uncle! You must think of him, Miss Yardely. You have now been away an afternoon and a night. He will be very anxious."
"Yes!" she said, "that's the pity of it. If it were not for that——" She broke off suddenly, gave a little laugh, and for no apparent reason her face flushed rosily. "But you must restore me to the bosom of my family soon!"
"More's the pity!" said Stane to himself under his breath; his heart-beats quickening as he looked at her radiant face and laughing eyes; whilst openly he said: "I will do my best. You will be able to help me to paddle against the current, and no doubt in a little time we shall meet a search-party coming to look for you."
"Then my little jaunt will be over! But you must not surrender me until you have seen my uncle, Mr. Stane."
Stane laughed. "I will hold you against the world until then, Miss Yardely."
"And perhaps you will see Gerald Ainley, as you wish," she said, glancing at him to watch the effect of her words.
The laughter died swiftly from his face, and a stern light came into his eyes. "Yes," he said grimly, "perhaps I shall. Indeed that is my hope."